NEW RELIEF WORKS

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 470, 3 June 1932, Page 3

NEW RELIEF WORKS

Suggestions Mads by Committee. ECONOMICAL SCHEMES'. “It is not for this committee to find | fault with the administration but j rather to help in every possible way,” ; said Mr 11. Kitscn, the chairman, when i the Metropolitan Relief Works Commitj tee met last evening. "We can help,” he continued, “by bringing before the authorities suggestions which have received mature consideration.” The report of the Technical Committee set out the various factors to be kept in mind when relief works were considered, and outlined some of the difficulties that had to be overcome. It was an urgent necessity to find work that could be started at once—work which would be of economic value to the community as a whole. It was advisable that there should be work suited to the special abilities of men trained in various trades, as well as for unskilled labour. The work undertaken should not entail heavy future upkeep at the expense of the ratepayers. Cost of materials should not be in too great a proportion to the cost of labour. The committee was aware, the report stated, that local authorities were not in the position to find materials for relief works. In fact, the burden of having to find tools and supervision and provide accident insurance for relief workers, in many cases precluded local bodies from availing themselves of the free labour offered. The Technical Committee strongly urged that recommendations be made to the Unemployment Board to allow works to be undertaken provided at least SO per cent was spent on labour, ‘the board providing cost of material or a subsidy thereon. Schemes Approved. The General Committee considered many recommendations from the Technical Committee as to schemes which suggested themselves for relief work that could be put in hand in the nea: future. Approval was given to the recommendation that the extension of Blenheim Road to link up with Moorhouse Avenue and the Main South Road. Consideration of the proposal to permanently partially drain Lake Ellesmere was deferred, as it was considered advisable to concentrate on schemes which could be put in hand with more despatch. The suggested Construction of a direct road between Christchurch and its port was deferred.

A proposal to proceed with the metalling of that portion of the Summit Road between Evans Pass and the Mount Pleasant Road met with approval. The Technical Committee did not rei commend the proposal for the formaj tion of a coast road between the cliffs j at Scarborough and Whitewash Head. J The meeting endorsed the committee’s | report. j The report recommended construction on the Lewis Pass east-west main highway. The meeting endorsed the opinion of the committee. The afforestation of reserves on Cashmere Hills, at the Rakaia River and elsewhere was considered a suitable proposal. It was decided to approach local bodies concerned so that an exact estimate of the position could be formed. The question of irrigation was recommended by the Technical Committee as worthy of the fullest consideration. Another proposal was the widening of the road from the Sign of the Kiwi to Governor’s Bay, with a possibility of improving the grading. It was decided to approve the suggestion. Dealing with the question of controlling drifting sand over* an area including New Brighton and extending northwards, the Technical Committee considered that the drift might be controlled at a cost of not more than £5 an acre, and would be an SO per cent labour job. A hundred men could be employed. The proposal was approved. Riccarton Avenue. The Technical Committee urged that the reconstruction improvements to Riccarton Avenue should be carried lout as expeditiously as possible. Considering that the proposal would mean increased safety for both pedestrian and vehicular traffic, the committee recommended planting an avenue of trees on Bealev Avenue between Papanui Road and Park Terrace. With respect to a suggested deviation of the River Avon at New Brighton, the Technical Committee recommended that an engineering survey be made and that the New Brighton Borough Council and the Heathcote County Council be approached to obtain their views. The meeting adopted the committee’s recommendations. It was decided to forward the report of the Technical Committee to the Unemployment Board.